Effects of combined Pulsed Dye Laser and Fractional CO₂ Laser treatment of burn scars and correlation with plasma levels of collagen type I, MMP-2 and TIMP-1

Hypertrophic burn scars remain a significant burden for patients and a challenge for clinicians.

The aim: Assessement of the efficacy of combined Pulsed Dye Laser and Ablative Fractional CO₂ Laser therapy on hyperthophic scars and correlation with plasma levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen.

Patients and methods: Twenty five pediatric subjects were enrolled into the study. Control group consisted of age-matched subjects admitted for surgical repair of inguinal hernia. For the assessment of the results of laser treatment we used the Vancouver scar scale (VSS), and Patient-Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). We also correlated clinical results with plasma levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen.

Results: All subjects reported the laser treatment resulted in improvement and were somewhat satisfied or very satisfied with their experience. No adverse events were reported. The levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen in our patients with scars before laser threatment were higher in comparison to controls. We also found statistically significant decrease in the levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen after laser treatment of burn scars CONCLUSIONS: Our study clearly shows that combined CO2-AFL treatment for burn scars improve texture, colour, function and alleviate pruritus. We believe that decrease in the levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and alpha-1 type I collagen after laser treatment of burn scars, reflects reduced dynamic of scar.